General Information

Our Mission Statement

The Bixby Memorial Free Library, supported by Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton, Vergennes and Waltham, is dedicated to fulfilling the diverse literary and cultural needs of these communities. The Library promotes reading and learning as lifelong activities by providing a wide range of resource materials, programming and outreach, and by preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the area.

Basic Services

From its earliest days in the back wing of the Chittenden Bank building, the Bixby Memorial Free Library (at that time called the City Library) has steadily increased its collection and services and now holds more than 25,000 volumes.

The general collection includes children’s, young adult, and adult fiction and nonfiction–with many titles from the New York Times best-seller lists. In addition there is Audio Visual material available in DVD and CD . We have a huge selection of Large Print materials. We are a member of the Green Mountain Library Consortium and offer our members free downloads of eBooks and audios. A selection of local and national newspapers are available for browsing in the Community Room: Burlington Free Press, Addison Independent, New York Times Book Review, Christian Science Monitor, and Seven Days. Reference materials are also housed in the Community Room.

For titles unavailable locally, inter-library loan services quickly provide the requested materials from other public, regional, state, college or university libraries. Patrons are suggested to pay for postage for materials from this service. Photo copying is also available. See pricing below. No public fax available.

Computers

The Bixby WiFi is available 24/7.There are three public access computers for community members and patrons. In addition to the three workstations in the community room we have a patron laptop available for in-house use. They can reserved for 30 minute sessions, individuals must register to reserve time at the Customer Service & Circulation Manager’s Desk in the Community Room. Children must have signed permission forms from the library prior to using the Internet. This form is also available upon request at the circulation desk.

PHOTO COPIES:

Copies are available in black and white as well as color. Please ask for assistance at the Circulation Desk to make copies on the Kyocera copier. Photocopies from the patron computers only print in black & white.

Checks may be used made out to :Bixby Memorial Free Library. No IOU’s .

Federal and State Tax Forms

The 2014 Federal forms will become available early 2015. Additional forms are available online: http://www.irs.gov/. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides online tax products and services for taxpayers with disabilities. Individuals may visit the IRS Accessibility page (www.irs.gov/uac/IRS.gov-Accessibility) to download forms, publications, and other products and to access tax-related videos in English and American Sign Language.

The Vermont Dept. of Taxes will no longer distribute Income Tax Booklets at libraries, town offices or post offices. Booklets containing forms may be obtained by emailing taxforms@state.vt.us, by calling 802-828-2515, or online at the Individual Income Tax Resource Area http://www.state.vt.us/tax//forms.shtml.

Library Cards and Borrowing

Local residents (Addison Northwest School District) may obtain a library card without charge. Children at the age of 8 can get their own library card with parent’s or guardian’s permission and signature. Teens who are 16 years of age can apply for their own library card. We do not have family cards.

Out of Town Residents may obtain a library card for the annual fee of $30.00. Annual renewal is due is the one year from your application date. We do not have family cards. Fee may be subject to change.

Materials are borrowed for two weeks and renewed upon request. No overdue fines are charged, but contributions to the conscience box are always welcome. Teachers may borrow materials for classroom use for longer time periods. Patrons may place a reserve on circulating materials, and will be notified when material is available for their use. If you wish to renew or request an item, please bring the item to the library. Patrons will be able to do renewals or reserve items remotely through Library World in the future.

Third Thursday

Third Thursday evening programs offer a variety of lectures, discussions and musical presentations. These programs are coordinated by members of the Friends of the Bixby Library. Check the Adult Programs for more information.

Children’s and Youth Programs

Bixby Memorial Free Library provides a range of children’s and young adult programs and services, from weekly preschool story hours at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday during the school year to special events during school vacations and the Summer Reading Program.

Bixby staff welcome class visits from local schools. Homeschooling parents will find support with materials from the general collection and inter-library loan for their curriculum needs. For further information regarding scheduling a class visit, children’s events and / or the summer reading program, go to Children’s Programs or call and speak with Rachel, the Youth Services Librarian at 877-2211.

Volunteers

In addition, volunteers give generously of their time and talents and work several hours every week at Bixby Library. Volunteer responsibilities may include assisting at the circulation desk and/or tackling a variety of tasks that are necessary to maintain library services. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should call Muir Haman (877-2211) weekdays during library operating hours. Training will be provided.

Otter Creek Room

Book Sale Room Volunteers are scheduled through a separate coordinator: Laura Sturtevant from the Friends of the Bixby. Please contact Laura @ 877-2576, if you are interested.

Friends of Bixby

The purpose of the Friends of Bixby Library is to raise funds in support of the Library and to provide monies for special programs, services and activities. The Friends are members of the community who volunteer to help out with special projects and ongoing programs that serve the Library mission of learning and education. For more information about joining or volunteering, please call the Friends of the Bixby Chairwoman, Karlene Devine @ 877-6392.

Trustee

The Bixby Memorial Free Library is governed by a Board of Trustees representing the towns of Addison, Ferrisburgh, Panton and Waltham and the city of Vergennes. Monthly Trustee meetings are held at the library on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and generally held in the Otter Creek Room on the ground floor. Parking is available at the back of the library.